TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a new agreement between the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Unified School District to staff School Resource Officers (SROs), for the period of September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, in an amount not to exceed $808,200, with a net cost to the City’s General Fund of $206,500. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking to enter into a new agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for the period of September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, for the upcoming school year.
LBUSD will reimburse the City for the Police Department’s costs, including indirect costs, to a limit of its available funding, which is approximately $601,700. Up to five (5) police officers will be available throughout the term of this agreement on Tuesday through Friday, except on days when students are not present. Said officers will be assigned to LBUSD’s high school campuses. The cost of this service will be split between the City and LBUSD. LBUSD will incur approximately 74 percent of the cost and the City’s share is estimated to be 26 percent, or $206,500.
School Resource Officers provide LBUSD with an additional resource to reduce and prevent student-related problems. The LBPD began the program in 1999 as a preventive measure following the Columbine incident. Since its inception, LBUSD officials believe the high schools are safer and benefit from a low crime rate because of this partnership, which serves to meet the City Council's stated priority to further reduce crime, particularly violent crime.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on July 5, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 17, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested for August 7, 2012 in order to have the agreement in place before the start of the school year.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of services provided under thi...
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